Kelley’s late goal lifts Lady Chants to third straight win

Getting a second-half goal by Kacey Kelley and a strong defensive performance, the Coastal Carolina women’s soccer team shut out Wofford 1-0 Sunday afternoon to notch its third straight victory.

Kelley broke the scoreless tie in the 78th minute off of assists by sophomore Brianna Panico and junior Mikayla Williams as the Chanticleers improved to 3-1-0, while handing Wofford (3-1-0) its first loss.

The 3-1-0 start is Coastal’s best through four games since the 2005 squad won six of its first seven to start that season.

Kelley found the net for the fourth straight game in 2014, bringing her career total to 20 and tying Kristina Fisher for fourth place on the program’s all-time list.

Faith Farley recorded her second shutout of the season, needing to make just two saves as the Chanticleer defense shut down a Wofford team that had scored three goals in each of its first three games – all against Big South teams. Coastal finished the contest Sunday with a 15-8 shot advantage, including 8-2 on net.

Both defenses controlled the first half with the two teams combining for just eight shots and just two on goal.

The Chanticleers did have a flurry of chances over a 10-minute span before the midway point of the half. Ellie Taylor made a run on a ball up the middle, but Wofford goalkeeper Kara Boggs was able to come out for the sliding block. Kelley then had two attempts, the latter a shot from the right corner of the box that a leaping Boggs was able to tip over the crossbar. The play was set up by cross-field passes from Amber Adams and Christina Stern. The subsequent corner kick bounced around in the air in front and came to the foot of Rylie Johnson, but her one-touch shot from point-blank range went high.

After an uneventful end to the first half, Coastal came out strong in the second and controlled the majority of the possession. Less than five minutes in, the Chants had their best opportunity off a short corner kick. The ball was sent in from the right side where Johnson was near the far post for a header. The ball went past Boggs and was going into the right side, but Wofford’s Rachel Fenner was there to clear it off the line.

In the 59th minute, Coastal had another great chance after Kelley made a run up the left side and forced Boggs away from the goal. The ball was eventually deflected to Camille Christie in the middle of the box and, with Boggs scrambling to get back in position, she quickly ripped a hard shot. However, a Terriers defender was able to get in front and block it away.

CCU put two more shots on goal that were saved by Boggs before it was able to breakthrough. From the left wing, Williams sent a ball across the box and Panico was able to run it down near the end line to the right of the net. She lofted it back in front to Kelley and she easily beat Boggs with a header into the right side.

The Terriers did record two shots over the next five minutes, but did not put either one on goal. The Chants were then able to gain and keep possession in the Wofford defensive half for most of the remaining time.

The Chanticleers will hit the road on Thursday, Sept. 4 to face ACC foe N.C. State at 7 p.m. in Raleigh, N.C., before turning home Sunday, Sept. 7 to host Davidson.